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Paul Greengrass in Talks for Aaron Sorkin-Penned 'The Trial of the Chicago 7'

UPDATED: Steven Spielberg had at one time been attached to direct the long-delayed project.

Paul Greengrass is in final talks to directthe long-delayed project The Trial of the Chicago 7, based on Aaron Sorkin's script, THR has confirmed.

The project chronicles the trial of seven people who were charged with conspiracy and inciting to riot during the Chicago protests that occurred at the time of 1968 Democratic National Convention. The clash between the police and demonstrators and the subsequent trial went on to become a defining moment of the '60s.

Newsroom and The Social Network writer Sorkin signed a three-project deal with DreamWorks in 2007. The first project he went to work on was Chicago 7. Steven Spielberg, Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald were producing, and Spielberg also planned to direct. Spielberg was considering several actors for roles in the film, including Sacha Baron Cohen, Will Smith and Heath Ledger.

However, the pic was pushed back when the Writers' Strike hit in November 2007, and lasted more than 100 days. While Spielberg tried to get it moving after the strike ended, there continued to be further delays, so Spielberg eventually had to move on. In 2008, Greengrass and Ben Stiller were both rumored to be possible replacements to helm the project.

Greengrass' (The Bourne Ultimatum) next project arriving in theaters will be Captain Phillips, starring Tom Hanks. He's repped by CAA.